Overview
- On Wednesday the German defence ministry ordered that Chinese-made drones will no longer be used for target practice or training and said existing systems will be replaced by domestic or European models.
- Officials said the ban responds to data and IT security risks posed by onboard sensors, cameras, microphones and network links that could transmit information to foreign intelligence services.
- The decision follows a string of security incidents and prosecutions, including a suspicious explosives-laden drone at Leipzig-Halle and recent arrests in Germany linked to alleged Chinese espionage.
- The ministry confirmed that certain types of vehicles are barred from high-security sites but did not publicly name brands reported by media; some soldiers who own the flagged cars may be required to park them outside barracks.
- Berlin is fast-tracking procurement and investment in German and European UAV makers after Defence Minister Boris Pistorius pledged €10 billion for domestic drone capability, a shift meant to cut dependence on foreign hardware and strengthen supply-chain control.